P.M.F. Johnson

Call of the Labyrinth is the third book in the Saga of the Sinnesemota series. Most of the action is narrated through the eyes of Rev who holds one of the Artifacts of power. I had not read the first two books, so I found it quite difficult to come to grips with the back story and the world created. I have a lot of respect for authors who undertake high fantasy, but I felt there were some jumps of logic and philosophies which were difficult to follow. I think the biggest challenge for me was trying to understand all the magic! Everyone uses some form of magic (sometimes two) and I found that trying to keep track of all that was tiresome.
I found the opening chapters rather slow and sluggish, but the pace picked up once the Compatriots actually set off on their quest. The changes in the group dynamic were an unexpected development (in a good way). I quite enjoyed the rest of the book and was pleasantly surprised when I realised I had come to the end!
A map and notes on the different creatures / cultures would have been helpful.
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***I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair an honest review***

Johnson’s Disk of Dragons was an awesome story. It started off a bit slow for me, but once Rev and Dan reached Zhopar, the dynamics changed immensely. I was hooked and couldn't put it down! We first meet the pair in Shendasan, on the day of a Chisen goblen invasion. Before all is said and done, Rev and Dan both lose family. Driven from Shendasan, where Rev is little more than a thief, they come to the cattle village of Zhopar, where they quickly find themselves in the respectable positions of Boundskeeper and deputy.

Wanting to make the most of honest jobs, Rev and Dan throw themselves into a fresh murder investigation, as well as setting about fortifying the town. In addition to the murder Rev is investigating, he has a band of ruffians to contend with, as well as sorting out refugees, and preparing for an army’s potential invasion. If this weren't enough on their plates, strange occurrences heralding the presence of even stranger beings begin to crop up. And that’s not even counting Rev’s growing practise in shi (dragon) magick, and the varying interference and assistance of a foreign presence.

The fun stuff: I love that Rev turns from ‘criminal’ to ‘lawkeeper’. Reminds me of Wyatt Earp, yet there’s still a hint of the kleptomaniac to dear Rev. He’s got a good heart though, and while part of his dedication is for money, and respect, he comes to genuinely care for those he watches over.

Johnson has woven a complex world with very unique and varied races, from the cockroach-like goblen, to the Gorn-like orcen, to dragons themselves. Each species has its own nationalities, with their own nuances and slightly different appearances. One group of orcen, the Afen, love to negotiate, or ‘dicker’ as they call it. It serves as a social glue. The Ruskiya orcen are more of a martial people. I found this a nice change from elves and dwarves and fae that seem so popular in fantasy these days.

I really liked Dan, who is Rev’s orcen friend, and the mysterious Yarrow, both of whom serve as Rev’s deputies. All of the characters in general feel nicely fleshed out. I enjoyed Rev’s slow change from alley thief to (mostly) respected lawkeeper’. The anthropologist in me adored the snippets of history and lore prefacing each chapter. They were never long, yet each contained a wealth of information to broaden the picture.

Not so fun stuff: A grammar proofing would be good, for unnecessary commas. Sometimes sentences chained together oddly, but it didn't ruin the flow of the story for me at all.

Disk of Dragons is a brilliant first book I look forward to seeing how Johnson grows as a writer, over the course of other novels. I've already snagged a few for future reading. If you love epic fantasy and engaging characters, do be sure to check out this gem of a novel.… (más)

Trollen Rose, by PMF Johnson, is a high fantasy novel in the Saga of Sinnesemota series (second book). I read it without having read the first novel (Disk of Dragons), and I would certainly recommend reading the first book in the series first. You will be able to get into the story and the characters without having read the first book, but I would definitely have preferred to read them in chronological order.

Being high fantasy, the novel is filled with all sorts of exotic beings (including dragons), various types of magic and battles big and small. The main story follows the rogue Rev, and his companions in a quest to free the slaves in a slaver city. Also, he is looking for the famed Trollen Rose, which will grant its keeper the title of Emperor.

I liked the book, the main plot appeals to me and I find the characters to be developed and interesting. There is romance, as Rev is rescued by a beautiful princess. I will certainly recommend this book to fans of high fantasy.
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